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@uiten .'tata datent @fitta S. S. MIDDLEBROOK, OF SAND. HOOK. CONNECTICUT.

Letters Patent No. 63,549, dated April 2, 1867.

HAT-BLOGKING MACHINE.

dlgs rlgrmle maar tu it that Elettra datent ma mating gaat nf tlge tame.

TO ALL WI-IOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, S. S. MIDDLEBROOK, ot' Sandy Hook, in the county of Fairfield, and State of Gonnecticut, have invented a new and improved Hat-Blocking Machine and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which Will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates toa machine by whichthe conical hat body is gradually transformed into a perfectly- Shaped hat.

The machine consists of three distinct portions, through each of which the hat body is passed before its shape is perfected. l

In 'the first machine the tip is stretched, that is to say, the conical hat body is placed upon a set of levers, the upper ends of which meet in one point, their bodies extending outwards, thus conforming to the conical shape of the hat body. The tops of the levers are then gradually moved from the centre, whereby the hat body is stretched out, receiving a somewhat cylindrical shape. The hat body, thus stretched, is then brought into the rim-stretcher, which consists of a pair of corrugated conical rollers, between which the rim of the hat is placed, and, by turning the rollers, the rim is so stretched that it will be`lat when the hat is placed upon a table. In the third machine the crown ot` the hat is pressed into the required shape by a punch, which presses out the contre or crown of the hat. The hat is placed upon an India-rubber ring, the rim resting on the rubber, the crown extending down through a hole in the table, on which the rubber ring rests. The punch is then forced down and finishes the shape of the hat. In the accompanying drawings my invention is illustrated- Figure 1 representing a plan or top view of the lstrip stretcher. i

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section ofthe same, taken on the line a; fr, iig. 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the levers on the tip-stretcher 4when the same are expanded.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the rim-stretcher. y

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, taken on the line y y, tig. 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of the blocker," taken on the line z e, fig. 7.

Figure T is a vertical cross-section of the saine, taken onl the line x fc', fig. 6.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

A, iigs. 2 and 3, represents a vertical shaft, which is rigidly secured to the platform B. On the top of the shaft A are secured arms or cross-heads C, to which are pivoted the levers- D. a is an India-rubber ring, which encircles the lever D above their pivoting point, and by which the tops of thedevers are made to meet at a common point. A treadle, E, is hinged on the platform B, and supports, by means of rods or bars b, a disk, F, which slides loosely on the shaft A, and which is pressed up by a spiral or other spring c. This disk F is slotted, as seen, so that the lower part of each lever will t into one ofthe slots. These slots are closed on the outside by a metal band, d. The conical hat bodyis placed upon the cone, formed by the upper ends of thc converging levers D. The treadle E is then pressed down; thereby the disk F is pulled down, the band d pressing against the outside. of the levers D, pressing their lower ends together and spreading'out their upper ends. The hatbody is thus stretched as indicated inlig. 3. As soon as the pressure is removed from the treadle the action of the elastic ring a and spring c will. at once bring all the parts into their original position again. The hat body is now brought to the rim-stretcher, which is illustrated in figs. 4 and 5. This consists of two corrugated conical rollers G and H, which mesh into each other. The roller Gr is secured to a horizontal shaft, e, and is revolved by means of a crank or pulley, f. The upper roller H is secured to a shaft,`g, which is secured in a swinging frame, I, the latter being pivoted at L and adjusted by a set-screw, i, as seen, so that the rollers can be adjusted to hats of different thickness. The rim of the hat is inserted between the two rollers G and H inthe manner shown in fig. 5. The rim is thereby stretched so that it will be flat and lie well on the table of the blocken to which the hat, thus far prepared, must be next transferred. The blocker, which is illustrated in figs. 6 and 7, consists of a frame, K, uponwhich is arranged a "table or platform, L. The latter is provided with a round hole, as seen. Upon it.A is laid a rubber ring, M, which is held in position by a. curlor hoop on the table. The hat is placed upon the rubber ring, its crown passing flown through the hole in the table, es indicated in fig. 6. A cross-head, Z, is now pressed upon the rim of the hat, keeping the same steady, While the block or punch N is forced down into the hat, giving it the required sho-pe. The rubber lring prevents the hat from slipping or drawing in with the block. The block N may he operated by connectingrofls m, which are Worked by'cccentric-cams n on a shaft, o. The cross-head Zmay be operated by rofls j?, which are Worked by coms q on the same shaft o;

hut any other manner of raising or lowering the cross-head and the punch or block moy be employed. Afterthe rim of the hat is passed through the corrugated rollers it may be passed through a pair of smooth conical rollers to remove any wrinkles.

I claim as new, and desire to secure hy Letters Potent.-

1. The construction and arrangement of the vertical shaft A, lever D, cross-head C, rubber-ring a, perforated disk F, `With its edge grooved to receive the metallic rod d, surrounding said levers yD, as herein set forth for the purpose specifed. l v

2. The conical corrugated rollers Gl H, the teeth of which mesh into each other, swinging-frame I, hearing the oblique shaft g, and pivoted at its outer end 'h to the frame, adjusted by menus of the set-screw i, when constructed and arranged to operate :Ls herein set forth for the purpose specified.

3. The rubber ring M upon the table L of the frame K, sliding cross-head l, and block N, when constructed and arranged to operate as herein set forth.

S. S. MIDDLEBROOK.

Witnesses J. A. WILSON, Gr. H. Cnnr. 

